Ulman Forum: Readers React
Reader responses ranged from supporting the county executive to raising further questions on county issues.
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Howard County Executive Ken Ulman held his sixth public forum this week, and public safety drove much of the conversation, in light of the shootings in Aurora, CO.
Ulman said during the Monday event the police department has "redoubled" efforts in communication plans after every such incident, as communities around the country seek to learn from the tragedy.
Reader responses ranged from supporting the county executive to raising further questions on county issues.
Patch reader Adam R said he didn't like Ulman's response to the questions about the Colorado shootings, saying:
"Why can't you just say the truth that [Howard County] is doing everything they can to keep its citizens safe every night with the budget constraints of running a large county? That's what people need to hear."
Patch also asked readers what they hoped would be addressed.
What other issues do you think County Executive Ken Ulman should address? Tell us in the comments below.
Here is what people had to say about the forum, and questions they want answered:
ianpatrickhines: "I love that kenulman is in front of the crowd alone (no staff). It shows a lot of confidence that he can handle the Q&A alone."
anon: "I'm actually afraid to take a walk on my street after 7 p.m. Trash lined streets, graffiti covered park entrances. Is this Ellicott City? Who's choosing civility now?"
Cola MD: "I'd like to know why, despite HoCo task forces, commissions, an entire 'Howard County BRAC Office' that costs taxpayers a bundle, there is no plan to help ease roadway congestion or otherwise improve traffic on 295, MD 32, MD 29, etc. caused by BRAC / Ft. Meade growth…Common sense alone (no need for million dollar traffic studies, folks!) would say DO SOMETHING already!"
ianpatrickhines The woman speaking now at the #HoCo forum is here to THANK the county for their good work. She has specific examples. Pleasant surprise.
Greg Gallagher: "I have to add that I am deeply disappointed in Ken (and crew). He just seems like a sell out at this juncture. All this over development without proper infrastructure has caused more problems than good. Not enough police, improper road control, etc..."
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H.R. Pufnstuf
8:00 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
@ianpatrickhines does not even live in Howard County, he lives in Glen Burnie. He is a Democratic Party insider and a huge troll for Ken Ulman. The reason he came to our Howard County forum was to flood the #hoco twitter stream with pro-Ulman tweets. The guy is a joke and should not be taken seriously.
Clarke Ahlers
9:38 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
If that is true about ianpatrickhines then it says an awful lot in a negative way about the integrity, or lack thereof, of county government. I view this Ulman crowd as exceptionallty cynical about people. I feel like they give lip service to democratic principles while conniving for advantage. In the meantime, they line their own pockets.
H.R. Pufnstuf
10:18 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
It's true about Ian Patrick Hines.. Google him. You'll see that he was a spokesperson for the O'Malley administration. He's not a hoco citizen coming to the forum to objectively discuss issues; he's a highly partisan Glen Burnie resident visiting our county specifically to troll for Ken Ulman.